Synthesis, Crystal Structures and Urease Inhibition of Zinc(II) and Copper(II) Complexes Derived from 2-Amino- N ′-(1-(Pyridin-2-yl) Ethylidene)Benzohydrazide

Two mononuclear zinc(II) and copper(II) complexes, [ZnBr(HL)(NCS)] ( 1 ) and [CuL 2 ] ( 2 ), where HL and L are the ketone and enolate forms of 2-amino- N ′-(1-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylidene)benzohydrazide (HL), have been prepared and characterized by elemental analyses, IR and UV-Vis spectroscopy, as well as single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The Zn atom in complex 1 is in distorted square pyramidal coordination, with the pyridine N, imino N and carbonyl O atoms of the hydrazone ligand HL and the N atom of the thiocyanate ligand in the basal plane, and with the Br atom at the apical position. The Cu atom in complex 2 is in distorted octahedral coordination, with the pyridine N, imino N and enolate O atoms of one hydrazone ligand L, and the imino N atom of the other hydrazone ligand L in the equatorial plane, and with the pyridine N and enolate O atoms of the other hydrazone ligand L at the axial positions. The hydrazone and the complexes have been assayed for their Jack bean urease activity. As a result, the copper complex has effective urease inhibitory activity with IC 50 = 11.9±1.3 μmol/L. Molecular docking study was performed to investigate the interaction between the complex molecule and the enzyme.